When Life is Unfair…GIVE THANKS

“But it’s not fair,” breaks the heart of my little one.  

As tears stream down his cheeks, I try to explain in vain.  But how can he possibly understand, this little one who is so unfamiliar with how the world works, not even having a decade of experience in it.

This phrase, this pained inability to understand when life doesn’t go according to plan… it’s not fair.  

As we grow older, sometimes wiser, we gain a learning of how life does in fact work.  We see the truth in physics, that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction, how A plus B does equal C.  

We believe that our understanding coupled with wisdom must equal a discernment of what is indeed . . .  fair.

As we know our God more, as we surrender to His ways and His all-consuming love, we gain a knowledge of how His hand moves.  We know this God.  We see that His ways are good.  We believe that He, of course, is . . . fair.

How do we then respond, when life is unfair?

Life’s paths and people pour out obstacles at best, pain at the worst.  The messy, the unexpected, the painful appears and our broken hearts cry as the tears stream down our own cheeks, and we ache out those words, “it’s not fair.”

And in the quietness of our pain, we wonder – is God holding out on us?

“God, you could change this in a blink!”  Even with my tear-filled eyes I so clearly see how life could be fixed.    

I want more.

I want more to this life.  My heart aches from my perceived lack.  Not so different from the women who have come before me.  Not so different from the first.  Eve.  She wanted more too.  

Instead of all that she possessed, all that God had provided, she fixated on the lie that the enemy proposed:  she needed more, and God was not fair.

Has this ever been you?  Has ingratitude marked your weeks, your days, your moments?

We have been looking so closely at this idea of JOY, and we’ve been challenged to allow ourselves to be filled with His joy.  Last time we began a three-part look into how His joy can actually be our everyday.  

The first was this:  When Life Is Hard, STAND, seeing that His deep and abiding joy is only possible when we choose to stand in the truth of His Word.  

The second reinforces what we believe in His Word and voices it with gratitude: 

When Life Is Unfair . . . GIVE THANKS.

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”   I Thessalonians 5:16-18

Thanks, in all circumstance, all situations . . . every. single. one.  For this is God’s will for you.

Why is this His will?  Why does God ask me to give thanks for everything, even the muck and the mire?  Even the unfair?  Because He knows . . . 

There is something that realigns inside of me when I offer up my thanks to Him.  

Thanking Him for everything in that moment releases the serpent’s poisonous grip of ingratitude and ushers back His JOY.  

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”  Colossians 4:2

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace, and be thankful.”  Colossians 3:15

“Let them give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for men, for He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.”  Psalm 107:8-9

“I will praise the name of God with song, and shall magnify Him with thanksgiving.”  Psalm 69:30

November Joy.  The richest of months, abundant with opportunity to give thanks.

JOY CHALLENGE:

Today give thanks.  In every circumstance.  At every opportunity.  

• Thanks for the loves in your life
• For the roof above your head
• For the breath in your lungs
• For the eyes of that child
• For the help of your spouse
• For the care of a friend
• For that light that turned green
• For that opportunity to speak
• For the wisdom to remain quiet

Take a few quiet moments to read through the given verses above.  Let them settle into your heart.  Speak of your thanks to Him, in every circumstance.  For everything.

November Joy.  Give thanks.  Warm up your heart for that official Thursday.  Allow Thanksgiving to begin today.

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Want more on this idea of giving thanks?  I encourage you to spend some time with Ann Voskamp at her blog at www.aholyexperience.com where she captures the essence of joy in thanksgiving.  A few of my favorite posts include this one on creating your own tree of thanksgiving and another great one on the true meaning of thanksgiving.

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What has God been stirring in your heart in this series on November JOY?  How is He revealing His joy in your life?  We would love to hear from you.  Your comments are an encouragement to others.